I thought it might be helpful to have a thread where authors can discuss the competition, offer ideas, shamelessly plug their entries &c. &c. &c. So here it is! The contest rules are here: http://www.lushstories.com/competitions/humor-month.aspx and the deadline is April 12th, so get writing!

I'm working on an entry now; hopefully it's ready in time. I tend to be a slow writer. I'm looking forward to submitting to my first contest here at Lush Stories.

oh, and yes, i'm writing for this one, i have a story idea down solid, style is something i'm working on, i had it half written and ditched it, cause it wasn't crazy enough and started over. there, the glove has been thrown. ;)

When this comp was announced (or rather when it was pre-announced in the mod forum), I was determined not to enter. The majority of my recent stories have come about as a result of competitions Lush holds and I have so many other projects that are being left unfinished. Also, I have barely any time recently.

However, as usually happens, I was thinking about the competition and an idea flashed fully-formed into my mind. I found some time to start writing it when I was traveling and have done a good bulk of it on this current jaunt to London.

I'm going for all-out ridiculous. Just completely over the top, in your face, whatthefuckiswrongwiththisguy humour. I figured if I took the competition too seriously, my writing wouldn't be funny.

An interesting by-product, that I totally wasn't expecting, is that it's also quite sexy. I'm using more colourful language than I might have were I actually writing an erotic piece and I've found myself quite aroused by some of the scenes I've created. Kind of hope no one on the train noticed the bulge in my jeans...

Bit shorter than my usual comp entries because I thought the joke would be more effective if it was to the point. Should get it finished tonight or tomorrow and post it tomorrow or Monday.

I can't stand first person (particularly in present tense). Most pieces I've read using that point of view are less than the best, I'm sorry to say. I tried to make friends with it by writing some pieces that way, but I came to the conclusion that I do, indeed, hate it.

I much prefer to read third person, past tense. That way, the author does not attempt to impose their emotions and activity on me. It takes a lot of skill not to irritate me. A good author, in my opinion, will give me an overview of many characters, and not limit their view of action. I understand why others like first person, but I'll actively avoid it.

I wasn't going to enter, but there is a potato up for grabs...

I am really excited to see what you guys produce, since humour and ludicrous stories are what I look for most. I love them.

Joined: 1/22/2013Posts: 7,248Location: In the sweet shop, United Kingdom

Shylass wrote:

I can't stand first person (particularly in present tense). Most pieces I've read using that point of view are less than the best, I'm sorry to say. I tried to make friends with it by writing some pieces that way, but I came to the conclusion that I do, indeed, hate it.

I much prefer to read third person, past tense. That way, the author does not attempt to impose their emotions and activity on me. It takes a lot of skill not to irritate me. A good author, in my opinion, will give me an overview of many characters, and not limit their view of action. I understand why others like first person, but I'll actively avoid it.

I wasn't going to enter, but there is a potato up for grabs...

I am really excited to see what you guys produce, since humour and ludicrous stories are what I look for most. I love them.

Going to attempt to change your mind in this regards by making you wet yourself with laughter :)Tried to convert my story to 3rd person but it just didn't read right, 1st person it is... bites nails nervously

Going to attempt to change your mind in this regards by making you wet yourself with laughter :)Tried to convert my story to 3rd person but it just didn't read right, 1st person it is... bites nails nervously

In that case, I will make the effort to read it. A skilled writer can pull it off *snigger*.

Ok Im thinking of entering my first lush competition. This is probably explained somewhere, but how are the winners picked? If it's on number of votes then that favours the people with hundreds of friends. If it's on average score that's better but open to rivals voting you a 1. Or is there a panel of wise old owls who read them all and choose the winner.

I am only on here to say how absolutely wonderful, kind and generous the judging panel are(unless of course they do not award the prize to me, in which case I take it all back) and to shamelessly plug my story.

As a first timer with only two lush friends I tend not to get many people give scores on my stories. So I suspect I may struggle (based on past experience) to reach the 10 vote threshold even though I do tend to have a high average. So if anyone would be kind enough to read and vote on my story (Fairy Fairy Quite Contrary - link below) I would very much appreciate it. It would be a shame to miss out on that potato simply because I don't have enough friends to vote me into the reckoning.

I should also say that I have received some lovely comments from fellow competitors and I am warmed and encouraged by the camaraderie they have shown.

As a first timer with only two lush friends I tend not to get many people give scores on my stories. So I suspect I may struggle (based on past experience) to reach the 10 vote threshold even though I do tend to have a high average. So if anyone would be kind enough to read and vote on my story (Fairy Fairy Quite Contrary - link below) I would very much appreciate it. It would be a shame to miss out on that potato simply because I don't have enough friends to vote me into the reckoning.

I should also say that I have received some lovely comments from fellow competitors and I am warmed and encouraged by the camaraderie they have shown.

Something I've asked other authors before who say they don't get many reads/votes, do you read and comment on stories here? Have you read and commented on any of the comp entries? Support other authors on Lush, and they will be more than willing to support you. It's a great way to get additional reads if you don't want to collect a bunch of friends. You're also supporting other authors, and as an author you know how much you appreciate it. Take the first step!

Something I've asked other authors before who say they don't get many reads/votes, do you read and comment on stories here? Have you read and commented on any of the comp entries? Support other authors on Lush, and they will be more than willing to support you. It's a great way to get additional reads if you don't want to collect a bunch of friends. You're also supporting other authors, and as an author you know how much you appreciate it. Take the first step!

Good luck everyone. I've read some really funny entries.

Funnily enough I received your comment on my story, and in turn read, enjoyed and commented on yours before I read your post above. So yes it does work. Certainly in the competition environment at least (I'm not so sure it does the rest of the time).

Something I've asked other authors before who say they don't get many reads/votes, do you read and comment on stories here?

I'm going slightly off topic, so a mod can feel free to delete this. I think in general there is a real advantage to having lots of friends who vote quickly when you first post a story. I rarely look beyond the first page or 2 of new stories and my eyes are naturally drawn to stories that have a high number of votes and a high average, as well as an enticing title/premise. Who wants to waste their time with a duff story? The scores can be a good guide if you want a quick fix.

If others apply a similar philosophy then it is easy to see how some stories gain a momentum, while other stories that may be great, flounder and sink.

In my case, by posting at the wrong point in the week I have had stories disappear from the front page before either of my friends have had a chance to read them. Once it is off the front page it is out of sight, out of mind. It won't get many readers and it won't get many scores. And then faced with a choice between a story that has 35 votes (Avg 4.88) or 2 votes (Avg 5), it is natural I think for people to read the former story. I'm as guilty as anyone of that when I'm in reader mode.

I'm not saying I'm a great undiscovered author. But if I friended 300 people and asked them to vote on my new story. I reckon 10% would vote without reading it. That would in turn draw many more people to my story. It wouldn't make it a better story, but it would give it momentum and in turn would give me a higher profile.

However when I first joined Lush I did the whole friending many people thing, but I got tired of people who only contacted me when they wanted something. They weren't actually interested in me, getting to know me, or chatting to me. In the end I defriended more and more until I got down to two people who I am lucky and proud to class as proper friends. So although I may add more friends in future, I won't go down the route of collecting dozens and dozens again. It's my loss in terms of my story rankings, but it is my gain in terms of quality time spent with wonderful people.

I think the humor competition is, by far, the hardest! I have finished my entry and it is waiting to be verified. It has been almost 24 hours. Its not a bad story, I just fear its not very funny...ahhh, I can only dream of that starchy potato goodness...sigh...

Also, as far as getting reads and votes go, I read stories and friend the author that inspire/impress me. I also watch my comment boards and friend the people who are kind enough to drop a note. I then check out their stuff and offer more comments/opinions on their things. My friends list hasn't jumped up...but in particular, people like cocokisses or AnnieLuvsToFu, have given me constructive criticism that has really helped me. Thats super appreciated. While I don't chat them up on a regular basis, I'm not so worried about that. I love Lush, but I'm not here everyday. I do feel like most of the people on my list would give me some feedback if I asked for it. As far as the competitions go, I don't think they are judged on views and votes. I think they are judged by a panel who reads them. Maybe the views and votes carry some weight, but I don't see the contests as a popularity contest. Read anything thats placed and its usually quite obvious why they placed. Good luck!

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